Trail Racing 101 - Page 2

Upping the Ante: Transitioning from 10K to the Marathon

Running philosopher George Sheehan once said, "The marathon is an adventure into the limits of the self, a theater for heroism, where the runner can do deeds of daring and greatness." Nearly half a million people will complete a marathon in the U.S. this year, and often traverse less-trodden paths and give new meaning to Frost's road not taken.

Before taking on one of the trail marathons in the 2012 Trail Runner Trophy Series, consider these important tips.

Fuel Right. Unlike in a 10K, in a marathon, your muscles become depleted of stored carbohydrate (glycogen). After around two hours of sustained running at a moderate intensity, the muscles are depleted and your blood sugar takes a dangerous dip, leaving you feeling like you, well, just smacked into the proverbial wall.

The lesson here is learning to eat on the run. One of the easiest ways to top up glycogen stores and avoid "hitting the wall" is by eating one or two energy gels or drinking an energy drink per hour of running. Experiment with different brands, flavors and amounts in training.

Be Water Wary. Another issue than can affect marathon performance is dehydration, which decreases blood-plasma volume and compromises oxygen flow to muscles, causing you to slow down. Contracting muscles produce heat, so long-distance running increases body temperature, a condition called hyperthermia. This decreases blood flow to active muscles and sends more blood to the skin to cool you down, which forces your pace to slow.

Mind your hydration right from the start. Carry two small bottles and take small sips every five to 10 minutes, alternating plain water from one and a electrolyte/carbohydrate mix from the other.

Run a Lot. Beginner marathoners should build to a minimum weekly mileage of 30 to 35 miles because to run a longer race, you must simply train more. Running lots of miles improves blood vessels' oxygen-carrying capability by increasing the number of red blood cells and hemoglobin, stimulates the storage of more fuel (glycogen) in the muscles, increases the use of intramuscular fat to spare glycogen, creates a greater capillary network for a more rapid diffusion of oxygen into the muscles and increases your muscles' aerobic capacity.

Run Long. A primary focus of marathon over 10K training is the inclusion of long runs. Do most of your long runs on trails to condition your body to run on uneven terrain. As a guideline, your long run should not exceed about 30 percent of your weekly mileage, though this rule may be broken if you run only a few times per week.

The pace should be comfortable enough that you can converse with your partner. Lengthen the distance by one mile per week for three or four weeks before cutting back by a quarter to a third of the distance in a recovery week. Continue adding miles in this manner until you reach 22 to 24 (or about 3 to 3 ½ hours, whichever comes first). Your longest run should take place two to three weeks before your marathon.